Deejays embrace the Weapon riddim
In this era of riddim-driven dancehall, among the latest to be released is the Weapon from GoodThyme Click/MaxaMusic.
“This riddim is really gaining momentum overseas, especially in the Caribbean,” the producers stated.
The Weapon was created as a dancehall-jazz fusion by producers Sean ‘Due’ Lashley and Jesse ‘Belief’ Shatkins. It is a collaboration based on jazz great Albert Collins’ Icy Blue single on Universal Record’s label. According to the producers, the vibe started with Beenie Man laying a romantic dance tune named Woman. As things progressed, the riddim caught the ears of Busta Rhymes and Vybz Kartel, as well as Black Buddafly, Jimmy Cozier and Tifa .
Tifa’s song on the Weapon Riddim is titled Holding Power and is considered “a sure-fire hit” as disc jockeys locally and overseas have been requesting it, even though its not scheduled for release in the States until 2010. DJ Norie of Power 105.1 in New York broke the record a few weeks ago on his Sunday night show from 8:00 to 10:00 pm and has reportedly given it much love on the airwaves and throughout clubs from New York City to Boston.
Irie Dale of Irie Jam is spearheading the street promotion of the Weapon riddim throughout the Northeast United States while Flabba is in charge of promotion throughout the Caribbean. In Jamaica, Richie B and DJ Liquid are both showing the single love on their respective shows on Hot 102 and Zip FM.
EJ Albowicz of MaxaMusic describes Kunley’s (Ward 21) dancehall mix as “captivating” and “addictively eerie” and boasts that Tony Maserati’s pop mix will set a new standard for dancehall crossovers in the music industry. Tony Maserati, who recently finished mixing Alicia Key’s new album, loves Tifa’s version and is putting final touches on his mix.
